Concept 3 built and the site going Live!!

We have finished the frame of concept 3 and it is all coming together. There are some key differences between concept 2 and concept 3. The overall frame is 6-8 inches shorter and an inch thinner. The milling machine we machined everything on had a travel range of 30″ by 10.25″. We had already over traveled it once and we did not want to chance it again. We have made a box on the side to house the electronics. The biggest change is going from a 3″ pipe to a 1″ pipe. We could not get enough pressure to force the plastic out the pipe. Also by going to a 1″ pipe we can add a screw and go to a continual feed.

A funnel was made out of a 2″ thick piece of wood that was machined down. There are four slots drilled into each side of the pipe to funnel the plastic into the screw. The motor to the screw will be mounted to the steel cap. We are really hopeful of the potential of having the hopper in the top of the frame. The motor mounts nicely to the cap. The cap was machined down a bit inside and on top to make it flat.

We have made great progress since May when this blog started and we hope this blog helps people understand the choices we have made. The next step for us is to finish assembling the frame and mount the electronics to it. We also need to test the screw with the pellets. There is a possibility that the motor we have is not string enough but we can always get something more powerful. We have also changed our pineapple design. Since we can purchase most of the plastic pellets pre-colored. We did not need to worry about mixing. So the new pineapple will be used to ensure the plastic is melted before it gets to the nozzle.

We are also putting up plastic filament onto our Indiegogo page!! Here is what we are offering:

1lb ABS Filament

$15.00

Whether you’re printing a Reprap to create more repraps or printing a replacement belt buckle. You need material to feed your machine. ABS plastic is used in product like legos. Choose this perk and you have the chance fuel your machine with hopes and dreams. We are offering both 3mm and 1.75mm, plus a variety of colors. Choice of colors will be done towards the end of the campaign.

1lb PLA Filament

$20.00

If you are feeling more planet friendly, than PLA is the plastic for you. It is made from corn and other renewable sources. We are offering both 3mm and 1.75mm, plus a variety of colors. Choice of colors will be done towards the end of the campaign. See the goal for PLA sales in the description.

1lb HDPE Filament

$20.00

Thats right folks, HDPE Filament is going to be hitting the shelves. HDPE is used to make milk bottles and detergent bottles. It has a melting point of 120-130 C and is not affected by water like PLA or ABS. Purchase this perk and not only are you getting high quality HDPE, but you are helping us fund the research into making and printing with HDPE. We are offering both 3mm and 1.75mm, plus a variety of colors. Choice of colors will be done towards the end of the campaign.

1kg ABS Filament

$30.00

Same as 1lb ABS Filament but even more! Color and filament size will be determined towards the end of the campaign.

1kg PLA Filament

$40.00

Same as 1lb PLA filament but even more plastic! Color and filament size will be determined towards the end of the campaign. Check out the PLA goal in the description.

We aslo have a special goal we would like to achieve.

PLA Goal

PLA has been a surprisingly hard material to acquire or find suppliers. We are lucky enough to be located in Leominster, MA, which has a good number of ABS and other petroleum based plastic suppliers in the area. When it comes to PLA we are looking for a US based supplier and one that offers good prices. We have found one supplier that will sell us 4043D PLA in smaller quantities but it is expensive. Unless we order over 1600 lbs at once. The price break is substantial and would make PLA competitive. So here is the goal for PLA sales. If we can sell over 400 lbs of PLA than we will double what your ordered. So if you ordered 1lb of PLA and we reach this goal. You will receive 2 lbs of PLA.

We are working hard to improve our process and make high quality filament. Our goal is to maintain 3mm +-.05mm. The same standard that printers demand today. Quality is the most important fact to our products and right behind it is price. We hope to bring people low cost and economical filament. People will be able to print more and create endlessly. With this great technology will come new materials. We cannot do this without your support.